Archaeology

Office of Tribal Archaeologist --

The office of the Tribal Archaeologist is primarily responsible for federal compliance and consultation under Section 106 of the Antiquities Act as pertains to the Yavapai-Apache Nations construction, economic, infrastructure and developmental projects. Secondarily the archaeologist supports the Yavapai and Apache Cultural Preservation Departments as requested by their respective Directors and whatever else is required under federal law in all cultural cases. Because all Reservation lands are held in Trust by the Congress of the United States for the benefit of Native People, all projects done on Reservation/Trust lands must comply with the body of federal land law.

Office of Tribal Archaeologist --

As a result of these obligations under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), the Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) Mr. Coder works closely with the Tribal Administration, the Office of the Attorney’s General, Economic Development, the Nations farming operations, The Nations’ NAGPRA Representative, the Nations grant writer and other departments as necessary. As a sovereign tribal government recognized by the Federal Government the Nation cannot break ground until a proposed Project Area (PA) has been cleared by the archaeologist and the recommendation to proceed as planned, alter or stop a specific project is confirmed by the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO).

Office of Tribal Archaeologist --

The archaeologist also works in close association with the Preservation and Technology Director to administer and curate the extensive Tribal Collections. He is also focused on archival research and document retrieval with regards to the Nation’s heritage, spending significant time and effort at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) as well as numerous museums and repositories, such as the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) to collect information and materials pertinent to Yavapai-Apache history.

Chris Coder, Tribal Archaeologist--

Mr. Coder works for the Tribal Council and answers directly to the Chairman. He has served in this capacity since 1997 and has been on the Yavapai-Apache Nations Federal Water Settlement Team since 2008. He is currently working on the Nation’s administrative and social history since many families returned to their original home in the Verde Valley after a generation in exile from the concentration camp at San Carlos in the late 1800’s.